Location : The Learning Experience - Leatherhead
Role : Centre Director
What We Offer :
Supportive & Modern Work Environment :
22 days annual leave + bank holidays (plus 1 extra day per year of service)Medical cashback plan (covering you & up to 4 dependent children)PerkBox – Exclusive discounts, wellness perks, and rewardsPaid overtime & Sick daysPaid birthday leave & company-funded staff eventsLife insurance & AVIVA pension schemeStaff childcare discountState-of-the-art learning spaces designed for early years developmentPurpose of Role :
Supports with the day to day operation of the nursery. Undertakes suitable person responsibilities. Including, but not limited to; all operational and regulatory aspects of the nursery. Lead, mentor and coach a team of early years professionals; whilst fulfilling day to day management of the nursery. To support the delivery of a high standard of health and safety, care and education for all children and families. Centre Directors at The Learning Experience have ultimate responsibility for the operation of the setting, including the growth and development of both children and staff. They create an environment of collaboration and community, encouraging everyone to thrive, and meet the vision to LEARN, PLAY and GROW!
Key Tasks and Responsibilities :
PEOPLE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF TEACHING AND LEARNING
Identify the recruitment needs of the nursery; and recruit and retain the best staff, in line with The Learning Experiences Safer Recruitment processes. Interview and selects new staff; builds networks of external future talent.Working with HR ensure the nurseries are fully recruited with suitable qualified people, encouraging a diverse workforce, who are comprehensively inducted, trained and supported; the workforce plans are in line with occupancy, and all nursery teams are fully compliant with their regulatory training, company induction and required development programmes at all timesManages new hire paperwork and all employee files in compliance with statutory regulationsProvide new employees with an individual induction planThrough TLE appraisal and supervision processes, including regular observation, evaluations and feedback, supports all staff in the performance of their work so they can meet TLE's expectations and fulfil the organisations vision and values Manages team to ensure TLE curriculum is executed in alignment with brand standardsResponsible for the monitoring and evaluation of the overall quality of teaching and learning across the settingLead, mentor, inspire and influence the team to deliver outstanding care and education opportunities and experiences. Provide feedback to staff in order to establish a consistent approach of early years practice, LEAP and Core AdvantageEnsures that the assessment and monitoring requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are carried outEnsures that assessment is used to inform developmentally appropriate planning and practice for individuals and groups of childrenEnsures that children and families are supported to access other services as needed and to work with other professionals to meet identified needsEnsures that provision in the setting meets the requirements of the local EYDCP in relation to nursery education grant funding for three and four-year-oldsAlways manages and adheres to all Statutory requirements within the buildingEffectively manages labour; approves all final work schedules to ensure appropriate ratios are always intactIs the nominated individual for OFSTED and ensures the highest possible standards are maintained in accordance with OFSTED requirementsCarry out and implement regular staff meeting. Attend training sessions, for both mandatory requirements and continuous professional development.Promote the nursery to existing families; and new perspectives in order to support retention, reduce attrition and grow the occupancy levels at the nursery.Commercial delivery of the nursery performance, optimising revenue generation and costs efficiency in line with staff ratio requirements to deliver and exceed the annual nursery budgeted EBITDAContinuously work and develop Nursery action plan and TLE’s Annual Centre inspectionHEALTH AND SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDING
Ensures health and safety standards for both children and staff are always metActs as the Lead Designated Safeguarding Person for the settingBe fully aware of and understand the duties and responsibilities arising from the Children’s Act 2004 and Working Together in relation to child protection and safeguarding children and young people as this applies to your role within the organisation, being responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people within the settingEnsures all policies, systems and procedures related to safeguarding are in place at the setting in line with statutory requirementsDesignated Safeguarding Lead; level 3 - promote the health, safety and welfare of children, employees and families in line with The Learning Experience's child protection and health and safety policies.Responsibility to make referrals to external agencies and regulatory bodies.Ensure policies and procedures are adhered to whilst also meeting the external legislation and guidelines from the governing body of the country where the nursery is located.Promote and follow guidelines implemented for managing behaviour; including supporting children to manage their own feelings and behavioursEnsure all parts of the health and safety act 1974 are adhered to within the buildingEnsure all Health and safety tasks are carried out daily, weekly and monthlyWork with the Field manager to ensure all nursery annual checks are carried out within their time framecontinuously work and develop Nursery action plan and TLE’s Annual Centre inspectionCUSTOMER FOCUS
Leads tour with prospective families, highlighting key features / differentiators of the curriculum, room capacity, extra activities etc.Regularly communicates with families regarding a child’s progressExecutes "parent pleasers"Ensures quality execution of our Show and Tell parent communication appRegularly audits and maintains all records and files for children and teachersEnsures the physical environment and health / safety standards are fully compliant with local and national regulationsManages relationships with local authority and OFSTED, and conducts setting evaluationsIs responsible for accident / incident reportingIs responsible for medication managementConducts monthly emergency safety proceduresThe duties and responsibilities in this job description are not exhaustive or restrictive, changes and other duties relevant to this post may be added. This job description may be reviewed in the future.
Experience Essential :
A strong record of on-going training and / or professional qualifications since qualifyingMinimum of 3 years experience managing an early years settingPrevious experience of managing an Outstanding nurseryPrevious experience of leading an Ofsted inspectionDemonstrable track record of driving leadership strength and development of successful ongoing performance management and impact measurements, in close partnership with HRStrong decision-maker, with the proven ability to support change; a secure understanding of the complex relationship between business / commerce and service excellence within regulated setting, with the ability to follow guidelines and work with others to achieve successExperience of developing high performing teams, with a successful record of accomplishment of supporting effective regulatory compliance, quality improvement, delivering high quality pedagogy, innovation and service excellence.Experience of proving support and leadership to a staff team to enable staff in fulfil their roles, responsibilities and legislation duty in relation to safeguarding childrenExperience Desirable :
Experience of budget preparation, efficient staff deployment and rostering programmes, and managing commercial performance and reporting metricsKnowledge of Local Authority and Regulatory requirements and inspection processes across the UKKnowledge Essential :
Sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage
Knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection
Knowledge and understanding of wider legislative requirements for working with children
Experience of working with external agencies
Experience of developing staff through monitoring and identifying professional development
Experience in monitoring, evaluating and reporting impact
Proficient use of IT packages eg, word, excel and ability to learn other systems
Understanding of the importance of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
Knowledge and experience of implementing health and safety policy and practices
Knowledge Desirable :
Coaching and mentoring experience
Skills and Competencies Essential :
Able to communicate clearly with adults and children using a variety of techniques (oral and in writing)Ability to lead organisational change and transformation whilst retaining staff engagementHighly motivated and driven, achieving positive impact and meeting deadlinesAbility to build trust and develop cohesive teams – strong empathy to understand child and parents view, clear expectations and fair-mindedHigh energy and thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment - calm approach and ‘can-do’ attitudeAble to reflect on the quality of own performance respond positively, respond positively to direction and improveEncourages colleagues to realise their potential and empowers high performersAble to manage workload and manage time effectively to deliver the desired resultsAble and competent user of company ICT systems and have the willingness to learn and develop ICT skillsSkills and Competencies Desirable :
Desire and passion for ongoing learning and development
Qualifications Essential :
Full and relevant level 3 qualification12 hours paediatric first aid and first aid at workRelevant safeguarding / child protection training undertaken and a willingness to update training regularlyEvidence of continuous professional developmentQualifications Desirable :
Undergraduate or Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies or other relevant subject (Desirable)EYPP / EYTT or QTS post graduate status (Desirable)Full, clean driving licence and flexibility to travel as necessaryTeam Leader qualificationCurrent Paediatric First AidFire Marshall TrainingLevel 3 Food Hygiene TrainingBecause of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. Therefore, it is essential in making your application that you disclose any information requested in respect of applicable convictions and cautions (including, as applicable any reprimands or final warnings). This post may be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, in which case applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act unless the conviction or caution is “protected” as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). Any such ‘protected’ conviction or caution is not subject to disclosure to employers, and cannot be taken into account. All guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found in the DBS filtering collection, available here : https : / / www.gov.uk / government / collections / dbs-filtering-guidance. The fact that a pending charge, conviction, caution, reprimand or final warning has been recorded against you will not necessarily debar you from consideration for this role but any failure to disclose any such information will result in dismissal or disciplinary action.
